OPPOSITION GROWS TO SECURITY RULES...
Pressure is mounting on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to change the controversial rule that allows it to unilaterally force the suspension and revocation of any airman's certificate (mechanics are also subject to the rule). Currently, the only appeal is to the TSA. Don Young (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and the notoriously straight-talking aviation alumni of his home state of Alaska are boiling about the rule. Young has threatened to introduce legislation to quash the "unfair and probably unconstitutional" rule if the TSA doesn't modify it. "I am still very concerned that the rights of pilots may be adversely affected if the rule is implemented as currently written," Young wrote to TSA head Adm. James Loy. More...

...AOPA FILES FORMAL PROTEST...
Seeking "due process," AOPA and Young both recently had telephone chats with Loy and followed up with tough-talking letters. AOPA would like the appeal process to go to the NTSB, which already hears appeals on suspensions and revocations made by the FAA for reasons other than security. "We believe [the rule] undermines one of the most foundational elements of the nation by suspending the rights of U.S. citizens who hold pilot certificates to 'due process,'" AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote to Loy. More...

...BANNER-TOWER BAN PENNED
About 10 days ago, Congress quietly passed a law banning banner towing and other aerial advertising over major sports events for the next year. Since 9/11, a three-nm, 3,000-ft. no-fly zone has been imposed on GA traffic over events at stadiums with more than 30,000 seats. Banner towers were able to continue business by undergoing security checks and applying for FAA-issued waivers. The new law, which does not affect certain other aircraft, bars aerial advertisers from getting the waivers for the next year. Julian Hayes, lawyer for the U.S Aerial Advertising Association, told AVweb the group may mount a constitutional challenge of the law. More...

COST-CUTTING LEADS TO OUTSOURCING...
They've tried layoffs, belt-tightening and other in-house economies and now to save money Raytheon is looking at farming out some of its production work. In a letter sent to employees earlier this month, Raytheon Aircraft CEO Jim Schuster outlined plans to send some of the work currently performed in house to outside suppliers. "If it makes good business sense, then we will consider that option," the letter said. Raytheon's memo cited a rising number of used aircraft up for sale and reduced demand for new planes for the company's reduced sales. More...

...SUBCONTRACTOR FINDS NEW FINANCING
What's bad news for the aircraft company production workers is sometimes good news for companies like Avcorp, which have carved out a niche building components for the big companies. But it can still be a struggle for the subcontractors and earlier this month Vancouver-based Avcorp's bank called a $12.5 million loan. Last week the company announced it had found new financing and the business would be carrying on. More...

NTSB PAPERS ON WELLSTONE AND STRATOLINER
Icing appears to be the focus of the NTSB's investigation into the crash in Minnesota last October of a Beech King Air carrying Sen. Paul Wellstone and members of his family. Meanwhile, in Washington State, fuel starvation appears to be the cause of the emergency ditching of a historic Boeing Stratoliner near Seattle last March. The NTSB released documents on both investigations on Friday. In neither case does the NTSB draw final conclusions about the mishaps. More...

BOGUS AIRCRAFT INSPECTOR JAILED
So, who's doing the 100-hour inspection on your airplane? Three owners who took their planes to a business at Hayward Executive Airport near Oakland, Calif., discovered the hard way that their annuals weren't worth the paper they were signed on. And one of them could have paid a heavier price. U.S. District Court Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong sentenced James M. Hays, of nearby Lakeport, to two years in jail for falsely certifying the inspections on the aircraft. More...

BOEING FOCUSES ON MILITARY
Boeing appears to be banking its financial future on U.S. defense contracts as the market for airliners continues to lag. Meanwhile, problems are looming for Airbus and they could give Boeing back its competitive edge. An MSNBC analysis shows a major boost in defense contracts has helped Boeing compensate for the drastic loss of business on the commercial side. In Europe, the powerful euro is bringing Airbus to its knees. More...

LEGEND ILLEGAL ON FATAL FLIGHT
A pilot revered as an aviation legend in Minnesota shouldn't have been flying at all the day his Curtiss JN4 crashed, killing him and seriously injuring a passenger. R.W. "Buzz" Kaplan had been flying illegally for almost 20 years. The 78-year-old former bush pilot and adventurer hadn't renewed his medical since 1979. "Unfortunately, yes it's true," FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The man who was with Kaplan last June 26 said his medical condition had nothing to do with the crash, however. More...

AD WATCH
Well, the FAA staff in charge of ADs must have had a particularly productive week. No less than four final rules and one proposed rule made it from their OUT baskets this week... More...

ON THE FLY...
Security concerns cancelled Blue Angels' opening air show...
Killeen, Texas, airport was granted TFR exemption...
University students dominated Great Hawaiian Air Race...
Ecuadoran airliner crash found on mountain after 27 years...
FAA opened online access to Civil Aviation Registry...
EAA Southwest Fly-In moved to New Braunfels May 16-17...
Lee Kreindler, top aviation lawyer, died last Tuesday at 78...
Australians have launched 400 deep-vein-thrombosis lawsuits.

SHORT FINAL...
More from our "When you gotta go, you gotta go" file...

While waiting on the ground for a half hour for bad weather to clear, I overheard the following:

_______________________________________New Articles and Features on AVweb

_______COLUMNSThe Pilot's Lounge #58: An Aviation-Themed Hotel in the Heartland
There aren't a lot of places right next to an airport where those family members who are not obsessed with airplanes can have fun too. AVweb's Rick Durden took a trip away from The Pilot's Lounge and found a nice hotel with all the necessary family amenities, plus an aviation theme to boot.

NEW SPONSOR: MOUNTAINSCOPE FROM PCAVIONICS IS THE BEST NAVIGATION device since the introduction of GPS technology. With 17 percent of general aviation fatalities caused by controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), MountainScope is a safety essential. Its display gives you situational awareness of your surroundings in plan and 3-D views with pictorial warnings of dangerous obstacles or terrain. Terrain elevation points at 90-meter intervals provide the basis of the topo and 3-D map displays to the viewer. Overlaid onto the terrain are familiar aviation charting symbols, to provide guidance to the closest airports and navaids in case of emergency or disorientation. Flight Planning and Track Logging are additional features. For more details, and a FREE demo, go online.

RECEIVE A REBATE FROM TELEDYNE-CONTINENTAL MOTORS WHEN YOU BUY ORIGINAL
For a limited time, every TopCare (TM) cylinder from Teledyne-Continental Motors (TCM) comes with a direct rebate of up to $75. The best cylinders for your TCM engine are factory-original TopCare cylinders. State-of-the-art manufacturing standards ensure every cylinder meets exacting manufacturing and quality specifications. For technical information, rebate details, warranty features, and a dealer near you, go online.

E-OX -- COMPACT, LOW-COST EMERGENCY OXYGEN SYSTEM EXCLUSIVELY FROM AEROMEDIX.COM.
With prices starting under $200, E-Ox is an ideal choice for pilots who don't do enough high-altitude flying to justify the cost and hassle of a full-blown portable oxygen system. Amazingly lightweight and compact, E-Ox slips easily into your flight bag or briefcase. All E-Ox systems include oxygen cylinder, regulator, tubing, mask, and feature a built-in gauge and an industry-standard CGA-540 fill valve so you can refill anywhere oxygen is sold. Available in 36- and 113-liter sizes (1.3 and 4.0 cu. ft.), E-Ox lets you bring supplemental oxygen whenever you might need it. Order it online today.

IT MAY COST TO FLY BUT AOPA'S FLIGHT TRAINING MAGAZINE IS FREE!
AOPA's Flight Training magazine is full of articles intended to help develop and perfect pilot flying skills, and prepare students for the checkride that will allow them to become certificated pilots. Included in each issue is information for instructors to help them become more knowledgeable and effective teachers. FREE TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION for six months includes benefits as an AOPA member. Sign up now. Visit online.

ATTENTION CESSNA PILOTS AND OWNERS! CESSNA PILOTS ASSOCIATION (CPA) announces 2003 System and Procedure Seminar schedule. Learn from CPA's experts in Cessna systems. If you want to keep your Cessna aircraft running at its best -- and safest -- sign up for one of these seminars today. They fill up fast! Member or non-member, go online for the complete schedule, or e-mail Christine Fagundes and mention this AVflash.

"UMC HAS TOP-NOTCH SIMULATORS AND EQUIPMENT!" SAYS FORMER STUDENT John Walberg, UND Aerospace Flight Training Manager for Cirrus Aircraft. "The flexibility of the staff and faculty gives UMC the edge over other institutions. I was in the air my first semester. The best thing about UMC is the size and the one-to-one basis of the classes and flight training. I was definitely well-prepared when I started in the industry. I graduated in agricultural aviation but now UMC has two new emphases: Law Enforcement and Natural Resource Aviation. With these additional areas it is clear that UMC is on the cutting edge with flight training and connected with the needs of the industry." For more information on UMC's programs, just e-mail Michelle Christopherson or visit them online today.

CAGE CONSULTING HAS MOTIVATION FOR EVERYONE!
"Your Job Search Partner" is a motivating, opportunity-producing guide for anyone: those looking for a career change, new graduates of any age, and those impacted by company layoffs. "Calm In The Face Of Conflict" is for those who don't want to spend time researching a problem instead of solving it. These and other Cage Consulting guides and career aids are available online.

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marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team: mailto:sales@avweb.com.

Let's all be careful out there, okay?

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